Best Results at the Fair
Top tips and tricks for preparing poultry for the best results prior to the fair
Selection of birds
Exhibition quality from a small private breeder versus hatchery quality from a large national hatchery or website. Not something you can change before this fair but maybe for next year?
When purchasing select breeds that fit different classes so that you can exhibit as many birds as possible.
Select birds hatched as close to January 1 as possible. More mature birds are many times showier.
Select based on how well the bird matches the Standard of Perfection.
Be careful of sun on buff colored breeds. Buff birds can get bleached easily by the sun.
Training your birds to show themselves well especially Modern Game Bantams and Runner Ducks to stand appropriately.
Food: Do not just give them cracked corn or scratch grains. You should provide a complete wholesome feed.
Garden or Poultry Dust for lice or two weeks before the fair.
Clean out the coop first, and THEN give a bath.
Choose a warm sunny day.
For the best results use three tubs, wider than the bird deep enough to be half full, and submerge the bird except the head. Water should be warm.
Tub 1: Ivory Liquid Soap or dog or flea shampoo. Can add a ½ cup of 20 Mule Team Borax to the bath if you are doing light or white chickens.
Tub 2: plain water
Tub 3: 2 cups of Vinegar per gallon of water. Optional tablespoon of glycerin for an extra shiny chicken.
Scaly Legs. Usually just on birds from previous years. Use vaseline to rub into their legs.
Remove your birds from cages head first.
Old English, Modern, and American Games require dubbing for all birds over 1-year-old.
Trim beaks and toenails with a fingernail trimmer. Trim only the translucent clear part. The pink or solid colored part is the bloodline. It is just like your fingernails.
To transport birds to fair, use clean cages or boxes with ventilation cut-outs and clean, dry shavings.
Read as much as you can. I think that everyone should own:
A comprehensive raising book such as How to Raise Chickens or Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens.
Day of show: Have rags or paper towels readily available to clean the birds. Apply Vaseline to their faces, wattles, legs, combs for extra beauty and shine
http://wisconsininternational.com/ is the biggest poultry show in Wisconsin.
http://www.apa-abayouthpoultryclub.org/ has tons of free information on their site
